Bibliographic Information

Westerfeld, S. (2011). Uglies. New York, NY: Simon Pulse.

ISBN: 978-1442419810

 

Plot Summary

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld is a dystopian novel, which takes place 300 years in the future. It is about a futuristic society, were at 16 everyone receives plastic surgery to become pretty. The story's’ protagonist, Tally Youngblood dreams of the day she will be able receive plastic surgery and cross the river to live with the other pretties and her best friend.  Tally decides to one day break the rules and visit her best friend, Peris, over in Pretty Town.  On her way back home she meets Shay and they form a friendship. Shay and Tally have the same birthday and will be made pretty on the same day. Shay however does not share Tally’s sentiments for turning pretty. On the day of their operation Shay runs away to join The Smokies, a group of rebels who want to stay ugly. Unfortunately for Tally, the secret police have been watching her. The secret police, known as Special Circumstances, and Dr. Cable then blackmail her into finding the rebels if she ever wants to become pretty. Soon Tally finds herself caught up in a rebellion against the Pretties and has to make a decision about where she stands.

 

Critical Evaluation

I think the notion of living in a “perfect” society is interesting and especially the over all message that nothing is really ever “perfect.” Tally’s character wants to be made into a pretty and really has to learn at what cost is it worth it.  In American culture we are surrounded by images of beauty and often teens are the most influenced by these notions of beauty. Similar to the way the main character Tally was in the beginning of the story.  She doesn’t question these societal expectations and finds herself wanting nothing more than to belong and fit in with those expectations. It is a strong message for teens about finding themselves and figuring out what really matters in the scheme of life. Tally’s character transitions from naïve young adult to someone who really starts to question her society's beliefs and values. I also think she learns that sometimes doing the right thing isn’t always easy. During your teen years you are faced often with hard choices that define you for the rest of your life. Sometimes the easier paths aren’t the right ones. Tally’s character towards the end of the book really starts to understand this as she makes some tough decisions for herself.

 

Reader’s Annotation

In this futuristic society everyone is made pretty when they turn 16. Everyone receives plastic surgery and everything is perfect… or is it?

 

Author Information

The following information was taken from the author’s biography, http://scottwesterfeld.com/about-the-author/.

 

“Scott Westerfeld is me. I’m the author of eighteen novels. Five are for adults, and the other thirteen for young adults. I’ve also been an occasional ghost writer, which is like driving someone else’s car really, really fast for lots of money. In my artsy days, I wrote music for artsy downtown New York dancers. Note that they aren’t particularly suitable for children. I’m best known for my four sets of books for young adults.

 

The most recent is the Leviathan trilogy. It’s a steampunk retelling of World War I, illustrated by the incomparable Keith Thompson. It features adventure, walking machines, and living airships! My most famous works are those of the Uglies series, set in a future where cosmetic surgery is compulsory when you turn 16, making everyone beautiful. Of course, there are some people who want to keep their own faces . . . and that’s not okay with the government. The series consists of a trilogy—Uglies, Pretties and Specials—as well as a companion novel, Extras.”

 

Genre

Fiction, Science Fiction, Dystopian

 

Curriculum Ties

Could be used for language arts and/or unit on ethics.

 

Booktalking Ideas

• Do think that the pretties live in a perfect society? Why or Why not?

• Would you make the same decisions Tally did in the story? Why or Why not?

• How would the world be different if everyone looked exactly the same?

 

Reading Level/ Interest Age

Grades 6-12

 

Challenge Issues

Violence, Political Messages

 

Challenge Issue Resources (for usage in a challenge situation)

• Active Listening

• Explanation of why it was chosen for the collection (Rational)

• Awards

• Reader Advisory Reviews (Students, Parents, Educators)

• Positive and Negative Reviews

• National Council of Teachers “Right to Read”

• ALA Strategies and Tips for Dealing with Challenges to Library Materials

• ALA Bill of Rights on Intellectual Freedom

• Library Selection Policy & Library District Reconsideration Form

 

Why I choose it

I choose to read this book because I love dystopian books! This is also an extremely popular book with teen readers and won the American Library Assocation 2006 "Best Book for Young Adults" award.